zerobullchip
November 24th, 2006, 10:40 PM
From this somewhat dated document.
http://www.tampagov.net/documents/files/Tampa_Connection_Project_20030512.pdf
AREAS OF INTEREST
African Art Gallery and
Museum
4400 square feet of both modern and ancient African Art.
Heirloom quality furniture and a large collection of original
art paintings and carvings.
America, America
Artist, Barbara Neijna This modernist, red, steel artwork,
nestled inside the curve of an outdoor staircase (the entrance
to the walkway connecting the John F. Germany Central
Library to the Tampa Performing Arts Center) is composed
of a series of planes. Two vertical forms, each composed of
a rectangle and an acute triangle, stand 12 1/2" apart,
suggesting a ritual entryway.
Atlantic Coastline Railroad
Freighthouse
According to an 1916 Atlas, the current art museum sits on
top of the old Atlantic Coastline Railroad freighthouse and
rail yard and the Curtis Hixon Convention Center.
Babe Ruth's 587 Foot Homerun
The site for Babe Ruth's 587 foot homeroom -- the longest
homerun during an exhibition game -- while playing for the
Boston Red Sox in an exhibition game against the New York
Giants, on April 4, 1919, was hit at Tampa’s Plant Field
which is located on the grounds of the current McKay
Auditorium on North “B” Street on the University of Tampa
campus. It was witnessed by 4,300 people.
Bank of Tampa - 1883
The First National Bank of Florida originally known as the
Bank of Tampa, officially opened in 1883. It rented quarters
at Franklin and Washington Streets. Chicken wire covered
the windows and the structure was made out of unevenly
sawed planking. This was the first bank in Tampa. A team
of horses and a wagon were used to haul a 7,000 pound steel
safe to the premises. The first day’s deposits were $5,636.
They later built the first brick building in Tampa in 1886
which was built at the corner of Franklin and Washington
Street. On May 6, 1886, it received the first national charter
and became the First National Bank of Tampa. The oldest
national bank in the state later became Barnett Bank. It is
now part of Bank of America.
Barber Shop and Grocery Store -
1884
Old Sanborn Insurance Company fire maps show that in
1884 on Franklin Street between Jackson and Lafayette
Street (now Kennedy Boulevard) was a barber shop adjacent
to a grocery store.
Billiards Hall
On Jackson Street between Franklin Street and Monroe (now
Florida Avenue) was a billiards hall.
Billy Graham - 1939
Billy Graham started his Christian evangelistic crusade in
1939 on Franklin Street in Tampa, Florida. He was a
graduate of the Florida Bible Institute in Temple Terrace.
Bowling Alley - 1889
In 1889, maps show that on the corner of Whiting and
Marion Streets, approximately two blocks south of Jackson
Street, was a bowling alley.
Burgert Brothers Photographic
Collection
The Burgert Brothers Photographic Archives presents a
unique pictorial record of the commercial, residential and
social growth of Tampa Bay and Florida's West coast from
the late 1800s to the early 1960s. Nearly 15,000 images in
this collection chronicle the history of the Tampa Bay area
as it faced wars, natural disasters, economic booms and
busts. The images offer a view of a community at work,
from cigar factories, sponge docks and strawberry fields, to
grocery stores, service stations and bank lobbies. Many of
the photographs also depict a community at leisure, enjoying
a day at the beach, participating in local celebrations,
attending the Florida State Fair or playing favorite games
such as golf, tennis, shuffleboard or checkers.
Centro Asturiano
Centro Asturiano is a yellow brick and stone building
described as being in the Renaissance Mediterranean style.
The edifice sits on a tall base on which rest Doric columns
with two wide sweeping stairs leading to the main floor. The
building was designed by the prominent architectural firm of
Bonfoey and (M.Leo) Elliot. Newspaper accounts of the
time described the building as "the handsomest club building
in the state of Florida".
City Hall
Tampa City Hall is a Local Landmark Structure. Each local
landmark has a designation report which provides historical
information on the landmark.
Courthouses - 1848, 1855, 1891
There were many courthouses in Downtown Tampa, and
most of them were located where Tampa Police headquarters
is now located.
Cultural Arts District
The new Arts Center will be the crowning touch to the 28
block culture zone -- the final phase of a five-year, mixeduse
redevelopment of downtown that has brought in $6
billion in new construction. This will be the new $47 million
home for the city's 23-year-old Tampa Museum of Art, a
125,000 square foot design by Rafael Viñoly, who recently
completed the Tokyo International Forum and Philadelphia's
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Construction on the
building, the design of which was unveiled in June 2000, is
just beginning. The Tampa Bay Histroy Center will be
located right next to Tampa Museum of Art.
Curtis Hixon Park
Curtis Hixon Park opened in 1995 as downtown's largest and
most visible park, with about seven acres of riverfront
greenspace at the edge of Tampa's high-rise core. A walk in
the park is a stroll thorugh the area's history - carved into the
leaf-shaped sidewalks are three artists renderings of the
Tampa skyline as it looked in the late 1800s, the 1920s and
today.
Downtown Partnership School
In Fall 1998, the Tampa Downtown Partnership and the
Hillsborough County School District established a
kindergarten through third grade elementary school within
walking distance to downtown businesses and specifically
designated for the children of parents working downtown. Its
campus is in the previously unused educational wing of the
First Presbyterian Church.
Downtown Tampa Historical
Trail
Sights along the way include the Fort Brooke Parking
Garage - Fort Brooke was established by Colonel George M.
Brooke in 1824 on a site suggested by Major General
Andrew Jackson in 1818. It served as the headquarters of
the army during the wars with the Seminoles in 1835-42 and
1855-58. During the Civil War, Union gunboats were
repulsed on three occasions by cannns mounted here. The
fort was eventually captured in May of 1864.
David Falk Memorial Theatre
The 1928 theater, directly across Kennedy Boulevard from
the University of Tampa, is named for the only son of a
Polish immigrant father. David A. Falk was born in Tampa
in 1896. He graduated from Hillsborough High School,
attended Washington and Lee University, and served in
World War I. When he returned to Tampa, he joined his
father in the family business, O. Falk's Department Store,
which was downtown on Franklin Street. But it was service
on UT's board of trustees from 1948 until his death in 1960
that earned him the commemoration of the David Falk
Memorial Theater. This 1,000 seat fully equipped
proscenium-style theatre is home to the University of Tampa
- Department of Speech, Theatre, and Dance.
First Black Public Library
There is currently a wall next to the Tampa Blue Print
Company at 1319 North Florida Avenue that marks where
this was.
First Methodist Church - 1846
This church began on July 26, 1846. WOW: Stonewall
Jackson, just a soldier at the time and stationed at Fort
Meade, reportedly donated $5 towards its initial construction
on Kennedy Boulevard & Morgan Street.
First Paved Sidewalk - 1888
Tampa’s first paved sidewalk was built by Archibald Ross, a
native of Scotland. He paved the walk around his building at
the southeast corner of Franklin and Lafayette Streets with
Georgia marble. This sidewalk has now been preserved and
is located at City Hall Plaza on the south side of Kennedy
Boulevard and Franklin Street.
First professional paid Fire
Department - 1895
On May 10, 1895, City Council passed Ordinance No. 307
which authorized Tampa’s first professional, paid, fire
department. A.J. Harris, an experienced firefighter from
Savannah, moved to Tampa and was named Chief to preside
over 22 firefighters in five stations at an annual budget of
$18,000. The headquarters were located on Florida Avenue
between Jackson and Lafayette Streets. The Chief’s salary
was $1,350. His staff officers were paid $900 annually and
the firefighters and police patrolmen were paid $600 per
year. Paramedic manned station wagons opened for the first
time in Tampa in July 1973. The cur rent headquarters are
located at Station One at 808 Zack Street in downtown
Tampa.
First United Methodist Church -
1846
First United Methodist Church organized on July 26, 1846
with seventeen founding members. The congregation
worshiped in a primitive structure built on driftwood. It was
called the “Church By The Sea.” It was destroyed in the
great storm of 1848. A new building was completed in
1853. They named it the “Little White Church.” Later, it
and all records were destroyed by a fire. Then the
congregation built a distinguished sanctuary which served
the community for seventy years. It has been replaced by
the current neo-gothic structure.
Fort Brooke
Fort Brooke officer’s quarters were located near today's
northeast corner of Franklin and Brorein Streets. Major
General Andrew Jackson, the first provisional Governor of
Florida and the seventh President of the United States,
recommended this site for military use in 1818 during the
first Seminole Indian War. Brigadier General Zachary
Taylor, the twelfth President of the United States,
commanded Fort Brooke from 1838 to 1840 during the
second Seminole Indian War.
Fort Brooke Cemetery
At the Tampa City Center Esplanade at Franklin Street
between Jackson and Whiting Streets was located the Fort
Brooke Cemetery. It was used by the Army to bury
civilians, soldiers and Indians from 1835 to 1942. In 1980,
this burial site was discovered by accident during the
construction of the city parking complex. 102 soldiers and
civilians were re-buried at the Oaklawn Cemetery. 42
Indians were put to rest with essence of burning herbs at the
Seminole Indian Shrine at Orient Road.
Fort Brooke Park (also known as
Cotanchobee Park)
Downtown's newest park has begun to be built and will be
located next to the new Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel.
The park is being constructed on the historical site of Fort
Brooke, the military fort erected to defend the area from
Native American attacks. The local Seminole Indian tribe
has contributed $250,000 toward the construction of a
monument to honor those tribe members who lost their lives
during the Seminole Indian War.
Four Green Fields
America's only authentic thatched roof Irish pub offers a full
kitchen, your favorite Irish drinks, and traditional Irish
music.
Franklin Street
Franklin Street is named after Benjamin Franklin.
Gateway to Tampa
Artists - Nancy & Jim O'neil It is the solid glass block (in
the brochure). It is part of a larger installation that comprises
the sidelights of the Residence Inn downtown. These
sidelights are solid crystal glass blocks that are imbedded w/
painted glass images of things found in the cultural arts
district (music, art, etc.).
Goody Goody
A classic since 1929, this diner has churned out top-notch
burgers and shakes, giving folks a taste of the past. Long
ago, Goody's was a drive-in. Manager Yvonne Freeman, a
Goody veteran of 40 years, remembers the days she "worked
the curb" from '47 to '48. Though customers no longer dine
behind the wheel, nothing much has changed. There's still
the diner-shiny interior, formica tables, aluminum chairs, a
counter and freshly painted yellow and green walls. To put a
name on the decor, call it American diner classic.
Hillsborough County
Courthouse Art Display
Artist Richard Hass - Commissioned by the Paragon Group,
this mural depicts a number of views of the Tampa area, as
well as the former Hillsborough County Courthouse, which
was located at the intersection of Kennedy Boulevard and
Florida Avenue. In the lower left corner of the mural,
officers and soldiers in the Tampa area in the 1890’s are
depicted.
Henry Bradley Plant Museum
The Henry Bradley Plant Museum is housed in the 1891
Tampa Bay Hotel and is now a National Historic Landmark.
It is a unique museum featuring the original opulent
furnishings of the magnificent Victorian railroad resort and
depicting the lifestyle of the early Florida tourist. The
museum displays a renovated turn-of-the-century Tampa
Bay Hotel and the history of Florida, beginning in the
Victorian age. . One may also participate in activities,
educational exhibits and events about the late Victorian
period, the beginnings of Florida's tourist industry, and the
early years of the City of Tampa.
Hillsborough County
Courthouse
WOW: The first courthouse was a log cabin, reportedly
burned at the outbreak of the Second Seminole War. The
2nd was also wooden, and built on Madison Street in 1855
for less than $5,000.
Joe Chillura Courthouse Square
Park
Downtown Tampa's newest park, located directly across the
street from both the county center and Hillsborough County
Courthouse, Joe Chillura Courthouse Square is a 1.3 acre
county park covering one city block and featuring tree-lined
sidewalks, entry fountains and seating along a circular
retaining wall. The park's signature feature is a silver-domed
gazebo that creates a symbolic historical link to the ornate
courthouse that served the county from 1892 to 1952. The
park was made possible through the partnership of the City
of Tampa, Hillsborough County and the 13th Judicial
Circuit.
John F. Germany Public Library
The 140,000 square foot John F. Germany Public Library
serves as the reference hub and resource center for all
citizens of Hillsborough County and as the flagship library
of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System.
John F. Kennedy - 1960
On the steps of the Hillsborough County Courthouse, John
F. Kennedy announced the declaration of his Latin American
policy on October 18, 1960 to over ten thousand Tampa
residents. President Kennedy last visited Tampa four days
before he was shot and killed in Dallas, Texas.
Lightning
Artist, Jonathon Borofsky Borofsky’s artwork consists of a
nine-foot high steel silhouette surrounded by three angled,
yellow lightning bolts. This piece offers viewers a childlike
view of lightning. The figure at the center of the sculpture is
a human presence, which is not defined as either male or
female. Viewers are meant to interact with the artwork, and
can walk through the central space created by the bolts
themselves.
Lykes Gaslight Square Park
Lykes Gaslight Square is a one-block retreat for downtown
workers, and a testament to the strength of true
public/private partnerships. The park was made possible by
donations from a consortium of private and public
organizations. The Tampa Downtown Partnership originally
developed , leased and managed the park; it became so
successful, however, that the City of Tampa has since
purchased it.
Lyndon Baines Johnson - 1960
Lyndon Baines Johnson, the thirty-sixth President of the
United States addressed the people of Tampa on the steps of
the entrance to the Hillsborough County Courthouse at the
Madison and Pierce Street entrance in downtown Tampa on
October 12, 1960.
Oaklawn Cemetery
Oaklawn Cemetery was Tampa's first public burial ground.
The Alachua County Commissioners deeded the location in
the mid 1800s. It was named as the final resting-place for
"White and Slave, Rich and Poor". The First Mayor of the
City of Tampa Judge Joseph B. Lancaster rests here at
Oaklawn.
Old Tampa Book Company Inc.
Antiquarian, out-of-print and used bookstore. Tampa's finest
used bookstore is five blocks north of the Convention
Center. More than 24,000 nearly new and older books on all
subjects are available at bargain prices.
Orange Grove Hotel
The Orange Grove Hotel was located on Madison Street in
Downtown Tampa. It was built in 1859 as a residence for
Captain William Brinton Hooker, a Georgia native who
moved to Florida in 1830 and signed Florida’s first
Constitution in 1839. In 1843, Hooker settled in
Hillsborough County and became the Florida "cattle king"
owning over 10,000 head of cattle. During the Civil War,
the house was used as confederate officer headquarters. In
1866, it was converted to a hotel with thirty-three rooms. It
was named because of the orange trees Hooker had planted
on the property. This hotel was Tampa’s social center and
entertained figures such as Governor Henry Mitchell, Sidney
Lanier, Thomas Edison, General William T. Sherma n and
Henry B. Plant. It boasted telephone service in 1882. The
building was demolished in 1945.
Parking at the Courthouse
The concept of the mosaic centers on the history of the site,
once the location of the historic and beautiful courthouse,
designed by James A. Wood. The mural is comprised of
four photographs from local archives that have been
digitized into pixels of tiles of individual color. Adjacent to
the mural are smaller photographic images that document
some of the changes to the site from the 1920s to 2000.
Plant Park
Beautiful Plant Park separates Plant Hall and the
Hillsborough River. At the park's entrance is a fountain
dedicated to transportation-tycoon, Henry B. Plant, and his
contributions to the city. A modern sculpture, entitled
“Sticks of Fire” marks the center of the park. The base of
the sculpture portrays a fountain that faces the entrance of
the park.
Port Boat Tour
Enjoy the SeaPort Adventure and see how the Port of Tampa
achieves the growth that makes it the greatest economic
force in the Tampa Bay area and West Central Florida. The
port generates $10.6 billion a year in revenue and supports
93,000 jobs in the five county area. The Tampa Port
Authority leads the way for the international business
community of Tampa Bay.
Port of Tampa (Port Authority
Headquarters)
The Port of Tampa bustles with maritime activity. Cruise
ships, freighters, and sailboats all call this harbor home.
Watch the ships at work from a window seat at Channelside,
or join them on a complement ary catamaran cruise from the
Port Authority. Enjoy one of the best assets of the Port of
Tampa, the Channelside waterfront.
Post Office - 1831
The 1st post office was established on November 24, 1831.
Riverwalk Project
This project involves the construction of a downtown
riverwalk segment from Curtis Hixon Park to Washington
Street, eventually connecting to the Convention Center and
Garrison Seaport Center.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church -
1898
Groundbreaking on construction took place on February 16,
1898 and the cornerstone was laid on February 4, 1900. The
official dedication was held on January 15, 1905. The white
marble altar, altar railing, oak pews and entry doors, as well
as the distinctive petal-shaped porcelain tile flooring, are all
original materials. The stained glass windows of Sacred
Heart Church were specifically designed for the church and
manufactured by the Mayer Company in Munich, Germany.
Southern Transportation Plaza
Located at the intersection of Ice Palace Drive and Franklin
Street, the Hartline's Southern Transportation Plaza serves as
the southern terminus for the Teco Line Streetcar. The plaza
is an intermodal facility, which will serve as a cabstand and
connector to Hartline buses.
Spanish American War - Point
of Encampment - 1898
In 1898, Tampa served as the encampment for American
troops preparing to leave for Cuba during the Spanish
American War.
St. Paul African Methodist
Episcopal
WOW - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached here, and
strategy meetings for the protests of segregated restaurants
were held here.
St. Pete Times Forum
Formerly known as The Ice Palace, The St. Pete Times
Forum encompasses 660,000 square feet with three decks
and seven separate levels. The building is 133 feet 10 inches
in height and 493 feet in diameter. It contains 3,400 tons of
steel, 30,000 cubic yards of concrete and 70,000 square feet
of glass. The innovative design of the St. Pete Times Forum
provides for 19,758 seats for NHL games, 20,500 seats for
Basketball games and up to 21,500 seats for concerts and
center stage events. There is approximately 70,000 square
feet of glass in the St. Pete Times Forum. It currently serves
as the home to the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL and the
Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League.
Stats
In 1890, Tampa’s population was 5,532 people. In 1915,
there were 55,000 people living in the City, 18,000 in the
suburbs. In 1890, the bank deposits of all banks in Tampa
was $400,000. By 1915, the aggregate deposits were
exceeding $10,000,000. Tampa was very important as a port
city because it was the nearest available port of any
importance in the United States to the Panama Canal.
Tampa Bay History Center
Tampa Bay History Center serves and educates the
community through the discovery, preservation and
interpretation of the rich cultural heritage of the people of
“historic” Hillsborough County and the Tampa Bay region
and their relation to the United States and the world.
Exhibits about Tampa's present & history, with permanent
and traveling exhibits.
Tampa Bay Performing Arts
Center
The $57 million (in 1987 dollars), 300,000 square foot, stateof-
the-art complex is the largest performing arts center in the
Southeastern United States. The Arts Center has fee-based
classes in subjects such as ballet and orchestra. Free classes
and opportunities include lectures, demonstrations,
discussions and artist "talk-backs".
Tampa Convention Center
The Tampa Convention Center is located directly on the
waterfront in the heart of downtown, and includes 600,000
feet of meeting space and 2,000 feet of waterfront views.
Several small cafés as well as full catering services are
available and the convention center is conveniently within
walking distance to downtown hotels, restaurant s and clubs.
Tampa Firefighters Museum
Permanent and traveling exhibits of Tampa's firefighter
history.
Tampa Ice Company
Around the side of the current Radisson Hotel on the
Hillsborough River was the Tampa Ice Company which had
a 25 ton ice machine that ran night and day.
Tampa Museum of Art
The Tampa Museum's primary purpose is to collect,
preserve, display, and interpret works of art reflecting art
forms of regional, national and international importance for
the public on a regularly scheduled basis. Tampa Museum
of Art provides a broad range of art-related experiences for
visitors of all ages. The Museum collection includes
twentieth-century and contemporary art in addition to a
renowned collection of Greek and Roman antiquities.
Tampa Police Department
Tampa's first police force was created in 1886, a year before
the city of Tampa was incorporated. Tampa's first police
force was quite small, consisting of a Chief, Assistant Chief,
Sergeant and three officers. Now the police department
employs over 1000 officers and over 300 civilian staff.
Tampa Police Museum & Police
Memorial
Since 1895 there have been 25 Tampa Police Officers who
have been killed in the line of duty. These honorable names
shall never be forgotten as they are wtched in marble in front
of the Tampa Police Museum and Police Department. They
are our history. They have made the ultimate sacrifice for the
citizens of Tampa.
Tampa Port Authority
The Port of Tampa is Florida's largest seaport, handling
nearly half of all seaborne commerce that passes through the
state. It is the twelfth largest cargo port in the nation and
serves as the home port for several passenger cruise ships.
Plans for the port area include the addition of three new
cruise terminals, expansion of the Florida Aquarium and a
hotel with meeting space.
Tampa Theatre
The Tampa Theatre was the first building in the City of
Tampa to have air conditioning when it opened in 1926
(WOW). The building is on the National Registry of
Historic Places and is vital part of Tampa's cultural scene.
Classic films, foreign films, comedies, dramas, and musicals
are aired at the Theatre. Annually, the Theatre hosts
approximately 500 film screenings, 12 concert events and 65
performances for Hillsborough County school children.
There are 1,446 seats in the Theatre and it is available for
weddings, corporate events, and other occasions. One recent
patron touted the Theatre as a "catapult for the imagination."
Tampa to Jacksonville
Endurance Run
The site of the current Tampa City Center Esplanade at
Franklin and Washington Streets marked the starting point
for the Tampa to Jacksonville endurance run in 1909. The
race, which included about eighteen vehicles, ran round trip
over the course of four days from Tampa to Jacksonville and
back. Although the race was marred by accidents and
numerous breakdowns, it sparked the construction of
highways in the state.
The Florida Aquarium
Opened in March 1995, the aquarium tells Florida's unique
water story as it follows a drop of water from the
underground source to the open sea. General admission is
$15 and camp programs are available during summer and
school holidays.
The Hub Bar
Originally a combination package store and cocktail lounge,
the Hub catered to society's high end, including judges,
attorneys and even Mafia bosses. The bar has one of the
best jukeboxes in town and has won awards as the best dive
bar in Tampa.
The Old Schoolhouse
Built circa 1858 by General Jesse Carter for his young
daughter, Josephine Carter. After Henry Plant bought the
property for the Tampa Bay Hotel, the schoolhouse was used
as the hotel drugstore. This one-room building is the city's
oldest surviving structure.
The S/S American Victory
Mariners Memorial and Museum
Ship
The S/S American Victory was built in in California in 1945
and served as a merchant marine vessel during World War
II, the Korean War and the Vietnam conflicts.
The Silver Ring Café
The Silver Ring Cafe started as an Ybor City longshoreman's
bar in 1929. In 1947, after the owner smelled his staff's
preparation of Cuban sandwiches for their lunch, Cuban
sandwiches became a featured menu item. In 1997, the
Silver Ring Cafe moved to its current downtown Tampa
location, taking the original bar and sign, which decorate its
interior. The cafe has won the "Best of the Bay" Cuban
sandwich award about 25 times in the last 50 years.
Time Capsule
In 1979, Xi Eta Lambda Chapter of Beta Sigma Pi placed a
time capsule located on City Hall Plaza at Kennedy
Boulevard and Franklin Street. The time capsule is to be
opened in 2079.
Tocobaga Indian Mound
The parking lot on the southwest side of Franklin and
Brorein Streets is located at the site of the former Tocobaga
Indian Mound (this was once the shore of the bay). It was
fifty feet high with a large level space in the top where the
residences of Indian chiefs stood. Fort Brooke soldiers in
the 1840s used a tree growing at the crest of the mound as a
lookout post. In 1882, the mound was razed to fill the
Jackson Street ditch which extended from Marion Street to
the Hillsborough River. The mound was thousands of year
old at the time it was destroyed.
Union Station
Renovated in 1998, Union Station currently offers daily
departures.
University of Tampa
A private university, University of Tampa has over 4,200
students and offers more than 60 areas of undergraduate
study. The university, formerly Tampa Junior College,
moved to its present location on August 2, 1933. Formerly
the Tampa Bay Hotel, Plant Hall now serves as the main
academic and administrative building for the University.
University of South Florida
Downtown Center
The Downtown Center features 17,000 square feet of
classroom and office space, including a 20-seat computer
room and a videoconference room. The classrooms are
equipped for computer and video presentations, and may be
rented for meetings, seminars and training sessions. The
facility offers professional, graduate degree programs and
noncredit training.
Visual Welcome
Artist, Yaacov Agam This artwork, made from the type of
aluminum used in aircraft production, consists of 9 panels,
set 30" apart. These panels are painted on both sides with
Agam’s characteristic kinetic patterns, which change and
move as the viewer passes along the length of the sculpture.
WDAE
WDAE - corner of Franklin Street at Zack Street. Florida’s
first radio station. It was the first station in Florida to be
licensed commercially to operate by the FCC. The license
was issued May 15, 1922 to the Tampa Daily Times.
Winter Solstice
Artist, Charles Perry This polished stainless steel sculpture
(described by the artist as a "two-thirds twist triangular torus
mobius") was brought to the site in 600 pieces, which were
assembled at a remote location, and moved to the current
pool site. The sculpture appears to rest on the reflecting
pool's surface. Perry's ribbed sculptures suggest precise
spatial mathematics and share qualities with gothic vaulting
and modern turbines.
http://www.tampagov.net/documents/files/Tampa_Connection_Project_20030512.pdf
AREAS OF INTEREST
African Art Gallery and
Museum
4400 square feet of both modern and ancient African Art.
Heirloom quality furniture and a large collection of original
art paintings and carvings.
America, America
Artist, Barbara Neijna This modernist, red, steel artwork,
nestled inside the curve of an outdoor staircase (the entrance
to the walkway connecting the John F. Germany Central
Library to the Tampa Performing Arts Center) is composed
of a series of planes. Two vertical forms, each composed of
a rectangle and an acute triangle, stand 12 1/2" apart,
suggesting a ritual entryway.
Atlantic Coastline Railroad
Freighthouse
According to an 1916 Atlas, the current art museum sits on
top of the old Atlantic Coastline Railroad freighthouse and
rail yard and the Curtis Hixon Convention Center.
Babe Ruth's 587 Foot Homerun
The site for Babe Ruth's 587 foot homeroom -- the longest
homerun during an exhibition game -- while playing for the
Boston Red Sox in an exhibition game against the New York
Giants, on April 4, 1919, was hit at Tampa’s Plant Field
which is located on the grounds of the current McKay
Auditorium on North “B” Street on the University of Tampa
campus. It was witnessed by 4,300 people.
Bank of Tampa - 1883
The First National Bank of Florida originally known as the
Bank of Tampa, officially opened in 1883. It rented quarters
at Franklin and Washington Streets. Chicken wire covered
the windows and the structure was made out of unevenly
sawed planking. This was the first bank in Tampa. A team
of horses and a wagon were used to haul a 7,000 pound steel
safe to the premises. The first day’s deposits were $5,636.
They later built the first brick building in Tampa in 1886
which was built at the corner of Franklin and Washington
Street. On May 6, 1886, it received the first national charter
and became the First National Bank of Tampa. The oldest
national bank in the state later became Barnett Bank. It is
now part of Bank of America.
Barber Shop and Grocery Store -
1884
Old Sanborn Insurance Company fire maps show that in
1884 on Franklin Street between Jackson and Lafayette
Street (now Kennedy Boulevard) was a barber shop adjacent
to a grocery store.
Billiards Hall
On Jackson Street between Franklin Street and Monroe (now
Florida Avenue) was a billiards hall.
Billy Graham - 1939
Billy Graham started his Christian evangelistic crusade in
1939 on Franklin Street in Tampa, Florida. He was a
graduate of the Florida Bible Institute in Temple Terrace.
Bowling Alley - 1889
In 1889, maps show that on the corner of Whiting and
Marion Streets, approximately two blocks south of Jackson
Street, was a bowling alley.
Burgert Brothers Photographic
Collection
The Burgert Brothers Photographic Archives presents a
unique pictorial record of the commercial, residential and
social growth of Tampa Bay and Florida's West coast from
the late 1800s to the early 1960s. Nearly 15,000 images in
this collection chronicle the history of the Tampa Bay area
as it faced wars, natural disasters, economic booms and
busts. The images offer a view of a community at work,
from cigar factories, sponge docks and strawberry fields, to
grocery stores, service stations and bank lobbies. Many of
the photographs also depict a community at leisure, enjoying
a day at the beach, participating in local celebrations,
attending the Florida State Fair or playing favorite games
such as golf, tennis, shuffleboard or checkers.
Centro Asturiano
Centro Asturiano is a yellow brick and stone building
described as being in the Renaissance Mediterranean style.
The edifice sits on a tall base on which rest Doric columns
with two wide sweeping stairs leading to the main floor. The
building was designed by the prominent architectural firm of
Bonfoey and (M.Leo) Elliot. Newspaper accounts of the
time described the building as "the handsomest club building
in the state of Florida".
City Hall
Tampa City Hall is a Local Landmark Structure. Each local
landmark has a designation report which provides historical
information on the landmark.
Courthouses - 1848, 1855, 1891
There were many courthouses in Downtown Tampa, and
most of them were located where Tampa Police headquarters
is now located.
Cultural Arts District
The new Arts Center will be the crowning touch to the 28
block culture zone -- the final phase of a five-year, mixeduse
redevelopment of downtown that has brought in $6
billion in new construction. This will be the new $47 million
home for the city's 23-year-old Tampa Museum of Art, a
125,000 square foot design by Rafael Viñoly, who recently
completed the Tokyo International Forum and Philadelphia's
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. Construction on the
building, the design of which was unveiled in June 2000, is
just beginning. The Tampa Bay Histroy Center will be
located right next to Tampa Museum of Art.
Curtis Hixon Park
Curtis Hixon Park opened in 1995 as downtown's largest and
most visible park, with about seven acres of riverfront
greenspace at the edge of Tampa's high-rise core. A walk in
the park is a stroll thorugh the area's history - carved into the
leaf-shaped sidewalks are three artists renderings of the
Tampa skyline as it looked in the late 1800s, the 1920s and
today.
Downtown Partnership School
In Fall 1998, the Tampa Downtown Partnership and the
Hillsborough County School District established a
kindergarten through third grade elementary school within
walking distance to downtown businesses and specifically
designated for the children of parents working downtown. Its
campus is in the previously unused educational wing of the
First Presbyterian Church.
Downtown Tampa Historical
Trail
Sights along the way include the Fort Brooke Parking
Garage - Fort Brooke was established by Colonel George M.
Brooke in 1824 on a site suggested by Major General
Andrew Jackson in 1818. It served as the headquarters of
the army during the wars with the Seminoles in 1835-42 and
1855-58. During the Civil War, Union gunboats were
repulsed on three occasions by cannns mounted here. The
fort was eventually captured in May of 1864.
David Falk Memorial Theatre
The 1928 theater, directly across Kennedy Boulevard from
the University of Tampa, is named for the only son of a
Polish immigrant father. David A. Falk was born in Tampa
in 1896. He graduated from Hillsborough High School,
attended Washington and Lee University, and served in
World War I. When he returned to Tampa, he joined his
father in the family business, O. Falk's Department Store,
which was downtown on Franklin Street. But it was service
on UT's board of trustees from 1948 until his death in 1960
that earned him the commemoration of the David Falk
Memorial Theater. This 1,000 seat fully equipped
proscenium-style theatre is home to the University of Tampa
- Department of Speech, Theatre, and Dance.
First Black Public Library
There is currently a wall next to the Tampa Blue Print
Company at 1319 North Florida Avenue that marks where
this was.
First Methodist Church - 1846
This church began on July 26, 1846. WOW: Stonewall
Jackson, just a soldier at the time and stationed at Fort
Meade, reportedly donated $5 towards its initial construction
on Kennedy Boulevard & Morgan Street.
First Paved Sidewalk - 1888
Tampa’s first paved sidewalk was built by Archibald Ross, a
native of Scotland. He paved the walk around his building at
the southeast corner of Franklin and Lafayette Streets with
Georgia marble. This sidewalk has now been preserved and
is located at City Hall Plaza on the south side of Kennedy
Boulevard and Franklin Street.
First professional paid Fire
Department - 1895
On May 10, 1895, City Council passed Ordinance No. 307
which authorized Tampa’s first professional, paid, fire
department. A.J. Harris, an experienced firefighter from
Savannah, moved to Tampa and was named Chief to preside
over 22 firefighters in five stations at an annual budget of
$18,000. The headquarters were located on Florida Avenue
between Jackson and Lafayette Streets. The Chief’s salary
was $1,350. His staff officers were paid $900 annually and
the firefighters and police patrolmen were paid $600 per
year. Paramedic manned station wagons opened for the first
time in Tampa in July 1973. The cur rent headquarters are
located at Station One at 808 Zack Street in downtown
Tampa.
First United Methodist Church -
1846
First United Methodist Church organized on July 26, 1846
with seventeen founding members. The congregation
worshiped in a primitive structure built on driftwood. It was
called the “Church By The Sea.” It was destroyed in the
great storm of 1848. A new building was completed in
1853. They named it the “Little White Church.” Later, it
and all records were destroyed by a fire. Then the
congregation built a distinguished sanctuary which served
the community for seventy years. It has been replaced by
the current neo-gothic structure.
Fort Brooke
Fort Brooke officer’s quarters were located near today's
northeast corner of Franklin and Brorein Streets. Major
General Andrew Jackson, the first provisional Governor of
Florida and the seventh President of the United States,
recommended this site for military use in 1818 during the
first Seminole Indian War. Brigadier General Zachary
Taylor, the twelfth President of the United States,
commanded Fort Brooke from 1838 to 1840 during the
second Seminole Indian War.
Fort Brooke Cemetery
At the Tampa City Center Esplanade at Franklin Street
between Jackson and Whiting Streets was located the Fort
Brooke Cemetery. It was used by the Army to bury
civilians, soldiers and Indians from 1835 to 1942. In 1980,
this burial site was discovered by accident during the
construction of the city parking complex. 102 soldiers and
civilians were re-buried at the Oaklawn Cemetery. 42
Indians were put to rest with essence of burning herbs at the
Seminole Indian Shrine at Orient Road.
Fort Brooke Park (also known as
Cotanchobee Park)
Downtown's newest park has begun to be built and will be
located next to the new Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel.
The park is being constructed on the historical site of Fort
Brooke, the military fort erected to defend the area from
Native American attacks. The local Seminole Indian tribe
has contributed $250,000 toward the construction of a
monument to honor those tribe members who lost their lives
during the Seminole Indian War.
Four Green Fields
America's only authentic thatched roof Irish pub offers a full
kitchen, your favorite Irish drinks, and traditional Irish
music.
Franklin Street
Franklin Street is named after Benjamin Franklin.
Gateway to Tampa
Artists - Nancy & Jim O'neil It is the solid glass block (in
the brochure). It is part of a larger installation that comprises
the sidelights of the Residence Inn downtown. These
sidelights are solid crystal glass blocks that are imbedded w/
painted glass images of things found in the cultural arts
district (music, art, etc.).
Goody Goody
A classic since 1929, this diner has churned out top-notch
burgers and shakes, giving folks a taste of the past. Long
ago, Goody's was a drive-in. Manager Yvonne Freeman, a
Goody veteran of 40 years, remembers the days she "worked
the curb" from '47 to '48. Though customers no longer dine
behind the wheel, nothing much has changed. There's still
the diner-shiny interior, formica tables, aluminum chairs, a
counter and freshly painted yellow and green walls. To put a
name on the decor, call it American diner classic.
Hillsborough County
Courthouse Art Display
Artist Richard Hass - Commissioned by the Paragon Group,
this mural depicts a number of views of the Tampa area, as
well as the former Hillsborough County Courthouse, which
was located at the intersection of Kennedy Boulevard and
Florida Avenue. In the lower left corner of the mural,
officers and soldiers in the Tampa area in the 1890’s are
depicted.
Henry Bradley Plant Museum
The Henry Bradley Plant Museum is housed in the 1891
Tampa Bay Hotel and is now a National Historic Landmark.
It is a unique museum featuring the original opulent
furnishings of the magnificent Victorian railroad resort and
depicting the lifestyle of the early Florida tourist. The
museum displays a renovated turn-of-the-century Tampa
Bay Hotel and the history of Florida, beginning in the
Victorian age. . One may also participate in activities,
educational exhibits and events about the late Victorian
period, the beginnings of Florida's tourist industry, and the
early years of the City of Tampa.
Hillsborough County
Courthouse
WOW: The first courthouse was a log cabin, reportedly
burned at the outbreak of the Second Seminole War. The
2nd was also wooden, and built on Madison Street in 1855
for less than $5,000.
Joe Chillura Courthouse Square
Park
Downtown Tampa's newest park, located directly across the
street from both the county center and Hillsborough County
Courthouse, Joe Chillura Courthouse Square is a 1.3 acre
county park covering one city block and featuring tree-lined
sidewalks, entry fountains and seating along a circular
retaining wall. The park's signature feature is a silver-domed
gazebo that creates a symbolic historical link to the ornate
courthouse that served the county from 1892 to 1952. The
park was made possible through the partnership of the City
of Tampa, Hillsborough County and the 13th Judicial
Circuit.
John F. Germany Public Library
The 140,000 square foot John F. Germany Public Library
serves as the reference hub and resource center for all
citizens of Hillsborough County and as the flagship library
of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library System.
John F. Kennedy - 1960
On the steps of the Hillsborough County Courthouse, John
F. Kennedy announced the declaration of his Latin American
policy on October 18, 1960 to over ten thousand Tampa
residents. President Kennedy last visited Tampa four days
before he was shot and killed in Dallas, Texas.
Lightning
Artist, Jonathon Borofsky Borofsky’s artwork consists of a
nine-foot high steel silhouette surrounded by three angled,
yellow lightning bolts. This piece offers viewers a childlike
view of lightning. The figure at the center of the sculpture is
a human presence, which is not defined as either male or
female. Viewers are meant to interact with the artwork, and
can walk through the central space created by the bolts
themselves.
Lykes Gaslight Square Park
Lykes Gaslight Square is a one-block retreat for downtown
workers, and a testament to the strength of true
public/private partnerships. The park was made possible by
donations from a consortium of private and public
organizations. The Tampa Downtown Partnership originally
developed , leased and managed the park; it became so
successful, however, that the City of Tampa has since
purchased it.
Lyndon Baines Johnson - 1960
Lyndon Baines Johnson, the thirty-sixth President of the
United States addressed the people of Tampa on the steps of
the entrance to the Hillsborough County Courthouse at the
Madison and Pierce Street entrance in downtown Tampa on
October 12, 1960.
Oaklawn Cemetery
Oaklawn Cemetery was Tampa's first public burial ground.
The Alachua County Commissioners deeded the location in
the mid 1800s. It was named as the final resting-place for
"White and Slave, Rich and Poor". The First Mayor of the
City of Tampa Judge Joseph B. Lancaster rests here at
Oaklawn.
Old Tampa Book Company Inc.
Antiquarian, out-of-print and used bookstore. Tampa's finest
used bookstore is five blocks north of the Convention
Center. More than 24,000 nearly new and older books on all
subjects are available at bargain prices.
Orange Grove Hotel
The Orange Grove Hotel was located on Madison Street in
Downtown Tampa. It was built in 1859 as a residence for
Captain William Brinton Hooker, a Georgia native who
moved to Florida in 1830 and signed Florida’s first
Constitution in 1839. In 1843, Hooker settled in
Hillsborough County and became the Florida "cattle king"
owning over 10,000 head of cattle. During the Civil War,
the house was used as confederate officer headquarters. In
1866, it was converted to a hotel with thirty-three rooms. It
was named because of the orange trees Hooker had planted
on the property. This hotel was Tampa’s social center and
entertained figures such as Governor Henry Mitchell, Sidney
Lanier, Thomas Edison, General William T. Sherma n and
Henry B. Plant. It boasted telephone service in 1882. The
building was demolished in 1945.
Parking at the Courthouse
The concept of the mosaic centers on the history of the site,
once the location of the historic and beautiful courthouse,
designed by James A. Wood. The mural is comprised of
four photographs from local archives that have been
digitized into pixels of tiles of individual color. Adjacent to
the mural are smaller photographic images that document
some of the changes to the site from the 1920s to 2000.
Plant Park
Beautiful Plant Park separates Plant Hall and the
Hillsborough River. At the park's entrance is a fountain
dedicated to transportation-tycoon, Henry B. Plant, and his
contributions to the city. A modern sculpture, entitled
“Sticks of Fire” marks the center of the park. The base of
the sculpture portrays a fountain that faces the entrance of
the park.
Port Boat Tour
Enjoy the SeaPort Adventure and see how the Port of Tampa
achieves the growth that makes it the greatest economic
force in the Tampa Bay area and West Central Florida. The
port generates $10.6 billion a year in revenue and supports
93,000 jobs in the five county area. The Tampa Port
Authority leads the way for the international business
community of Tampa Bay.
Port of Tampa (Port Authority
Headquarters)
The Port of Tampa bustles with maritime activity. Cruise
ships, freighters, and sailboats all call this harbor home.
Watch the ships at work from a window seat at Channelside,
or join them on a complement ary catamaran cruise from the
Port Authority. Enjoy one of the best assets of the Port of
Tampa, the Channelside waterfront.
Post Office - 1831
The 1st post office was established on November 24, 1831.
Riverwalk Project
This project involves the construction of a downtown
riverwalk segment from Curtis Hixon Park to Washington
Street, eventually connecting to the Convention Center and
Garrison Seaport Center.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church -
1898
Groundbreaking on construction took place on February 16,
1898 and the cornerstone was laid on February 4, 1900. The
official dedication was held on January 15, 1905. The white
marble altar, altar railing, oak pews and entry doors, as well
as the distinctive petal-shaped porcelain tile flooring, are all
original materials. The stained glass windows of Sacred
Heart Church were specifically designed for the church and
manufactured by the Mayer Company in Munich, Germany.
Southern Transportation Plaza
Located at the intersection of Ice Palace Drive and Franklin
Street, the Hartline's Southern Transportation Plaza serves as
the southern terminus for the Teco Line Streetcar. The plaza
is an intermodal facility, which will serve as a cabstand and
connector to Hartline buses.
Spanish American War - Point
of Encampment - 1898
In 1898, Tampa served as the encampment for American
troops preparing to leave for Cuba during the Spanish
American War.
St. Paul African Methodist
Episcopal
WOW - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached here, and
strategy meetings for the protests of segregated restaurants
were held here.
St. Pete Times Forum
Formerly known as The Ice Palace, The St. Pete Times
Forum encompasses 660,000 square feet with three decks
and seven separate levels. The building is 133 feet 10 inches
in height and 493 feet in diameter. It contains 3,400 tons of
steel, 30,000 cubic yards of concrete and 70,000 square feet
of glass. The innovative design of the St. Pete Times Forum
provides for 19,758 seats for NHL games, 20,500 seats for
Basketball games and up to 21,500 seats for concerts and
center stage events. There is approximately 70,000 square
feet of glass in the St. Pete Times Forum. It currently serves
as the home to the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL and the
Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League.
Stats
In 1890, Tampa’s population was 5,532 people. In 1915,
there were 55,000 people living in the City, 18,000 in the
suburbs. In 1890, the bank deposits of all banks in Tampa
was $400,000. By 1915, the aggregate deposits were
exceeding $10,000,000. Tampa was very important as a port
city because it was the nearest available port of any
importance in the United States to the Panama Canal.
Tampa Bay History Center
Tampa Bay History Center serves and educates the
community through the discovery, preservation and
interpretation of the rich cultural heritage of the people of
“historic” Hillsborough County and the Tampa Bay region
and their relation to the United States and the world.
Exhibits about Tampa's present & history, with permanent
and traveling exhibits.
Tampa Bay Performing Arts
Center
The $57 million (in 1987 dollars), 300,000 square foot, stateof-
the-art complex is the largest performing arts center in the
Southeastern United States. The Arts Center has fee-based
classes in subjects such as ballet and orchestra. Free classes
and opportunities include lectures, demonstrations,
discussions and artist "talk-backs".
Tampa Convention Center
The Tampa Convention Center is located directly on the
waterfront in the heart of downtown, and includes 600,000
feet of meeting space and 2,000 feet of waterfront views.
Several small cafés as well as full catering services are
available and the convention center is conveniently within
walking distance to downtown hotels, restaurant s and clubs.
Tampa Firefighters Museum
Permanent and traveling exhibits of Tampa's firefighter
history.
Tampa Ice Company
Around the side of the current Radisson Hotel on the
Hillsborough River was the Tampa Ice Company which had
a 25 ton ice machine that ran night and day.
Tampa Museum of Art
The Tampa Museum's primary purpose is to collect,
preserve, display, and interpret works of art reflecting art
forms of regional, national and international importance for
the public on a regularly scheduled basis. Tampa Museum
of Art provides a broad range of art-related experiences for
visitors of all ages. The Museum collection includes
twentieth-century and contemporary art in addition to a
renowned collection of Greek and Roman antiquities.
Tampa Police Department
Tampa's first police force was created in 1886, a year before
the city of Tampa was incorporated. Tampa's first police
force was quite small, consisting of a Chief, Assistant Chief,
Sergeant and three officers. Now the police department
employs over 1000 officers and over 300 civilian staff.
Tampa Police Museum & Police
Memorial
Since 1895 there have been 25 Tampa Police Officers who
have been killed in the line of duty. These honorable names
shall never be forgotten as they are wtched in marble in front
of the Tampa Police Museum and Police Department. They
are our history. They have made the ultimate sacrifice for the
citizens of Tampa.
Tampa Port Authority
The Port of Tampa is Florida's largest seaport, handling
nearly half of all seaborne commerce that passes through the
state. It is the twelfth largest cargo port in the nation and
serves as the home port for several passenger cruise ships.
Plans for the port area include the addition of three new
cruise terminals, expansion of the Florida Aquarium and a
hotel with meeting space.
Tampa Theatre
The Tampa Theatre was the first building in the City of
Tampa to have air conditioning when it opened in 1926
(WOW). The building is on the National Registry of
Historic Places and is vital part of Tampa's cultural scene.
Classic films, foreign films, comedies, dramas, and musicals
are aired at the Theatre. Annually, the Theatre hosts
approximately 500 film screenings, 12 concert events and 65
performances for Hillsborough County school children.
There are 1,446 seats in the Theatre and it is available for
weddings, corporate events, and other occasions. One recent
patron touted the Theatre as a "catapult for the imagination."
Tampa to Jacksonville
Endurance Run
The site of the current Tampa City Center Esplanade at
Franklin and Washington Streets marked the starting point
for the Tampa to Jacksonville endurance run in 1909. The
race, which included about eighteen vehicles, ran round trip
over the course of four days from Tampa to Jacksonville and
back. Although the race was marred by accidents and
numerous breakdowns, it sparked the construction of
highways in the state.
The Florida Aquarium
Opened in March 1995, the aquarium tells Florida's unique
water story as it follows a drop of water from the
underground source to the open sea. General admission is
$15 and camp programs are available during summer and
school holidays.
The Hub Bar
Originally a combination package store and cocktail lounge,
the Hub catered to society's high end, including judges,
attorneys and even Mafia bosses. The bar has one of the
best jukeboxes in town and has won awards as the best dive
bar in Tampa.
The Old Schoolhouse
Built circa 1858 by General Jesse Carter for his young
daughter, Josephine Carter. After Henry Plant bought the
property for the Tampa Bay Hotel, the schoolhouse was used
as the hotel drugstore. This one-room building is the city's
oldest surviving structure.
The S/S American Victory
Mariners Memorial and Museum
Ship
The S/S American Victory was built in in California in 1945
and served as a merchant marine vessel during World War
II, the Korean War and the Vietnam conflicts.
The Silver Ring Café
The Silver Ring Cafe started as an Ybor City longshoreman's
bar in 1929. In 1947, after the owner smelled his staff's
preparation of Cuban sandwiches for their lunch, Cuban
sandwiches became a featured menu item. In 1997, the
Silver Ring Cafe moved to its current downtown Tampa
location, taking the original bar and sign, which decorate its
interior. The cafe has won the "Best of the Bay" Cuban
sandwich award about 25 times in the last 50 years.
Time Capsule
In 1979, Xi Eta Lambda Chapter of Beta Sigma Pi placed a
time capsule located on City Hall Plaza at Kennedy
Boulevard and Franklin Street. The time capsule is to be
opened in 2079.
Tocobaga Indian Mound
The parking lot on the southwest side of Franklin and
Brorein Streets is located at the site of the former Tocobaga
Indian Mound (this was once the shore of the bay). It was
fifty feet high with a large level space in the top where the
residences of Indian chiefs stood. Fort Brooke soldiers in
the 1840s used a tree growing at the crest of the mound as a
lookout post. In 1882, the mound was razed to fill the
Jackson Street ditch which extended from Marion Street to
the Hillsborough River. The mound was thousands of year
old at the time it was destroyed.
Union Station
Renovated in 1998, Union Station currently offers daily
departures.
University of Tampa
A private university, University of Tampa has over 4,200
students and offers more than 60 areas of undergraduate
study. The university, formerly Tampa Junior College,
moved to its present location on August 2, 1933. Formerly
the Tampa Bay Hotel, Plant Hall now serves as the main
academic and administrative building for the University.
University of South Florida
Downtown Center
The Downtown Center features 17,000 square feet of
classroom and office space, including a 20-seat computer
room and a videoconference room. The classrooms are
equipped for computer and video presentations, and may be
rented for meetings, seminars and training sessions. The
facility offers professional, graduate degree programs and
noncredit training.
Visual Welcome
Artist, Yaacov Agam This artwork, made from the type of
aluminum used in aircraft production, consists of 9 panels,
set 30" apart. These panels are painted on both sides with
Agam’s characteristic kinetic patterns, which change and
move as the viewer passes along the length of the sculpture.
WDAE
WDAE - corner of Franklin Street at Zack Street. Florida’s
first radio station. It was the first station in Florida to be
licensed commercially to operate by the FCC. The license
was issued May 15, 1922 to the Tampa Daily Times.
Winter Solstice
Artist, Charles Perry This polished stainless steel sculpture
(described by the artist as a "two-thirds twist triangular torus
mobius") was brought to the site in 600 pieces, which were
assembled at a remote location, and moved to the current
pool site. The sculpture appears to rest on the reflecting
pool's surface. Perry's ribbed sculptures suggest precise
spatial mathematics and share qualities with gothic vaulting
and modern turbines.